Femmes Africa Solidarite Launches a Book on UNSCR 1325 and Prevention to End Violence against Women

On behalf of the Working Group on Peace (WGP), Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) organizes a side event at the margins of the 16th Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday, March 18th from 11.00 to 13.00 in room XXII, to convene a Book launch on UNSC Resolution 1325 and its links to existing Human Rights mechanisms in the campaign to end violence against women.

The paper, regarding “UNSCR 1325 and Prevention: A Hybrid for Utilizing Human Rights and Early Warning Frameworks in the Campaign to End Violence against Women”, seeks to expand the rubrics of the on-going discourse on UNSCR 1325 to include a focus on human rights instruments and conflict early warning frameworks with the aim of examining how these can be jointly utilized in the prevention of violence against women in Africa.

As the co-chair of the CSAG, FAS has been receptive to reviews and recommendations from institutions and groups in Africa, and it is in this light that FAS publishes this position paper in collaboration with the Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSEN-Africa) and West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP).

In the aftermath of the adoption of the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in October 2000, there have emerged several legal instruments relating to women's rights, peace and security. The question, however, should not be whether or not these instruments are effective, if not if they are working. With specific regards to the pillar on ‘prevention', which is the focus of this paper, the question is how existing human rights structures and conflict prevention systems can integrate and work through the core principles and indicators enshrined in UNSCR 1325 in a manner that will ensure the prevention of violence against, and maximize the protection of women while including them as active participants and stakeholders in the process. This is the central question upon which this position paper is based. Moreover, FAS has also invited a delegation of Ivorian women to participate to the event and share their experience and views on the situation happening on the ground (waiting confirmation).

On Friday, March 18 an electronic version of the paper will be disseminated. Visit our website where you will find photos and all the information about the event.